How to Train Your Dog to Protect Goats
Introduction
Running a farm can be challenging enough, even if it is just a small hobby farm with a few goats on it. When you have goats, or for that matter any other type of livestock, you should also plan to have at least one dog trained to protect them from strangers and many other forms of predators. There are many breeds who make great guard dogs, those most commonly used are herding animals such as German shepherds, Great Pyrenees, Australian shepherds, and Welsh Corgis.
Dogs that are particularly good at guarding or protecting tend to be very stubborn, independent, and wary of strangers and other animals. Yet at the same time, they will form a strong bond with the livestock you place under their care. Once this bond has been formed, your dog will instinctively move to protect them. However, you will still need to train your dog to protect your goats.
Defining Tasks
The earlier you start to train your pup to protect your goats, the better. In fact, the prime age to start letting your pup build a bond with your goats is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. By letting him grow up around your goats and especially any kids, the stronger his bond will be. A good way to do this is by using a bonding pen where there is a protective area your pup can run to if he feels threatened. The idea is that, in time, your dog will start to see the goats under his protection as part of his "pack."
Dogs have a natural instinct to protect the members of his pack and by turning your goats into his "pack", your dog will be more diligent and ready to protect them from any type of danger. Be patient, this training is going to take some time and effort. The most important thing to remember is that there is a significant risk of injury to your dog or your goats.
Getting Started
Before you can start to train your pup to protect your goats, he needs to have mastered the basic commands including 'down', 'sit', 'stay', and 'come', as you will need to be able to use them to control him during and after the training has been completed. When it comes to supplies, you don't need much:
- Leash: A long leash is a good idea.
- Treats: As rewards.
- Goats: A small number of goats that are already comfortable around dogs.
- Bonding pen: You can make this yourself, just be sure there is a safe place for your pup to go if he feels threatened.
- Time and patience: Just like any other type of training, you are going to need plenty of both.
The most important thing to remember is that during training there is a significant risk of injury to your dog or your goats. Be sure to keep a close eye on both and intervene before anything can happen. If your dog is injured, you may not be able to train him to work with the goats or it will be much harder.
The Create a Bond Method
The Make Friends Method
The Social Experiment Method
Written by PB Getz
Published: 11/17/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
More articles by PB Getz
Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Skylar
I have never trained gurdian dogs before. The puppy which we are using to guard our goats. Also the goats have never been guarded by dogs before, what do I do?
943 Dog owners recommended
Hello Rylee, Check out the article linked below. https://www.premier1supplies.com/sheep-guide/2016/04/12-keys-to-raising-successful-livestock-guardian-dogs/ Generally in this case, there should be a couple of pens for pup and part of the livestock to stay in. Pup should be either penned next to or with a couple of the calmer females. Ideally, pup would be penned with the females if you have any females calm enough. If your goats can't handle that and pup be safe, pen pup in a pen right next to them so that they can sniff noses and get used to each other's presence and habits first. As they get used to each other, then pen pup with the calmer goats. When pup is very used to those goats and accepted by those members of the herd, then generally other goats should be added one or two at a time, and pup's living space/pen area increased in size gradually too. Eventually pup should end up being in the main enclosure with all the goats he will be expected to guard so long as everyone is adjusting well and the goats are not trying to attack pup. Since this is your first time doing this I suggest reaching out to clubs, groups, or trainers in your area that deal with live stock guarding and have someone mentor you in this for your first time. You want pup to be familiar enough with you that you can groom and bring pup to the vets as needed but you don't want pup to bond too much with you. Be careful not to treat pup like a pet dog. Pup needs to spend time with the livestock so that he will bond with them and thus guard them later in life. The goats should become his family, the way that a pet dog views people as their family. Check out livestock guarding forums also, as a resource where you can read and ask questions as you train. https://www.workingdogforum.com/vBulletin/f33/best-livestock-guardian-breed-11176/index7.html https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/goats-and-dogs.570614/ https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/forums/guard-animals.97/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Was this experience helpful?
I have never owned a gurdian dog before and never trained one to do so. My goats which the dog will protect have never been guarded by a dog what do I do to train it and get the goats used to the dog/puppy?
943 Dog owners recommended
Hello Rylee, Check out the article linked below. https://www.premier1supplies.com/sheep-guide/2016/04/12-keys-to-raising-successful-livestock-guardian-dogs/ Generally in this case, there should be a couple of pens for pup and part of the livestock to stay in. Pup should be either penned next to or with a couple of the calmer females. Ideally, pup would be penned with the females if you have any females calm enough. If your goats can't handle that and pup be safe, pen pup in a pen right next to them so that they can sniff noses and get used to each other's presence and habits first. As they get used to each other, then pen pup with the calmer goats. When pup is very used to those goats and accepted by those members of the herd, then generally other goats should be added one or two at a time, and pup's living space/pen area increased in size gradually too. Eventually pup should end up being in the main enclosure with all the goats he will be expected to guard so long as everyone is adjusting well and the goats are not trying to attack pup. Since this is your first time doing this I suggest reaching out to clubs, groups, or trainers in your area that deal with live stock guarding and have someone mentor you in this for your first time. You want pup to be familiar enough with you that you can groom and bring pup to the vets as needed but you don't want pup to bond too much with you. Be careful not to treat pup like a pet dog. Pup needs to spend time with the livestock so that he will bond with them and thus guard them later in life. The goats should become his family, the way that a pet dog views people as their family. Check out livestock guarding forums also, as a resource where you can read and ask questions as you train. https://www.workingdogforum.com/vBulletin/f33/best-livestock-guardian-breed-11176/index7.html https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/goats-and-dogs.570614/ https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/forums/guard-animals.97/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Add a comment to ?'s experience
Was this experience helpful?
You May Also Like
Add a comment to Skylar's experience